Planned La Grange Complex 'Affront' To Downtown

LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange should not be concerned with the financial viability of a proposed 39-unit downtown residential complex, a resident told officials Monday.

Last month, the village's Plan Commission approved the zoning for the building. It would replace the Jackson Square antique mall at 112 E. Burlington Ave.

The next step is for the proposal to go before the Village Board. But the developer, Dan Spain of Five South Six LLC, was asked to make a few changes to the plan before going to the board.

At Monday's board meeting, resident Alan Foreman said the complex would be too large and serve as "an affront" to La Grange's historic district.

He said the developer took a risk in buying the property for the complex, knowing what La Grange's zoning regulations required.

"The developer's financial goals should not influence board or staff decisions," Foreman said. "Ensuring the project is financially viable is the developer's challenge, not the village's."

He said no building in the neighborhood should be taller than Village Hall.

"The current building pays no homage to the historic district," Foreman said.

The renderings for the residential complex show a four-story building, but the application refers to five stories, likely including the basement.

Spain has not returned previous messages for comment. He is perhaps best known locally as the owner of The Elm restaurant.

Patch wrote about the developer's plan in a Sept. 30 story.

The board's only meeting next month is Dec. 15. Village President Mark Kuchler said he didn't expect the residential complex to be on the meeting's agenda.